Monson Historical Society research helps provide headstone for ‘Hank the Hermit’

In August 2015 the Monson Historical Society was contacted by a University of Maine student who was writing a thesis on hermits of Maine. Apparently the Monson/Elliotsville/Onawa area of Piscataquis County contained many such reclusive men over the years and thus began the journey for several members of the historical society.

One of them, known locally as Hank the Hermit, was especially interesting to member Estella Bennett as she found her father was one of only three people who attended Hank’s funeral.

Census records found that Hank was born to a prominent family in Belfast, the only child of Horace and Villa Perkins. His name was Ralph Albert Perkins. At a young age the family of three moved to Massachusetts where Perkins’ father was foreman in a large shoe factory in Chelsea. Perkins himself worked in the shoe factory in his late teens. At age 20 Perkins lost his father in a tragic train accident. In 1917, at age 24, Perkins enlisted in the service.

Coming back from World War I he went to Chesuncook to work in a woods camp for Great Northern. There the paper trail ends for Perkins as he moved further into the woods of the Elliotsville area and became known to all as Hank the Hermit.

After many interviews with several residents of the Monson area who remembered Hank, the consensus was he was a large man in stature, bearded and friendly on his own terms. He was known to enjoy the company of the quarry workers in his later years and came into Monson rarely but for one family was a hero.

In April of 1948 Hank was at his cabin near South Pond when he heard cries for help. Tragically by the time he arrived on the scene Bob Zimmerman had drowned, Clifford Douglass had made it to shore but Charles Douglass was clinging to an overturned canoe in the frigid water. Hank found a nearby canoe, broke the chain and rescued Charles Douglass. Without fanfare he built a fire for the two men and returned to his cabin.

Many stories of Hank survive and there is one known photo. Hank died in his sleep Oct. 20, 1962 and he was buried in Belfast next to his family. It was discovered he didn’t have a headstone and the Monson Historical Society applied for and received a U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs stone in the fall of 2016.

But the story has come full circle. This spring while researching World War I veterans Bennett found Hank had relatives in Belfast. The family knew very little about him other than his given name. Information has been shared and a joint ceremony will be held for Perkins on Sunday, July 30 at 2 p.m. in Belfast at the Grove Cemetery located at 98 Waldo Avenue.

This World War I veteran will be honored by the Jerry W. Dobbin American Legion Post #157 of Stockton Springs and the Towne- Holmbom Post #116 of Monson — the public is welcome to attend. For further information, Bennett can be contacted at 876-3073 or embweb@myfairpoint.net.

Contributed photo
HANK THE HERMIT — This copy shows the only known image of Hank the Hermit, who lived in the woods of the Monson/Elliotsville area during the decades after he served in World War I. Research later indicated his given name was Ralph Albert Perkins and last year the Monson Historical Society worked to get a stone for Perkins’ grave in Belfast from the VA. A memorial ceremony will take place at the cemetery in Belfast on Sunday, July 30 at 2 p.m.